QPR not at risk if relegated, says chairman

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Frank Dalleres

QUEEN’S Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes has moved to quell fears the football club could suffer financial disaster if they fail to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Accounts for last season showed the Hoops’ wage bill doubled to £56m – more than 90 per cent of revenue – and they have since signed 15 more players and changed managers.

Bottom-of-the-table Rangers are seven points from safety with just eight games remaining, but Fernandes insists dropping out of the lucrative top-flight would not “cripple” the west London club.

“No, I don’t think so. If we went down we would just have to come back up,” said the AirAsia chief executive.

“It is tough but hopefully next year there is a lot of TV money, hopefully we are still in the Premier League and that will give us a good chance. Our wage bill is a lot lower than being quoted.”